5.56: Fragmentation or Expansion?

[daddyusmaximus]

I like the 193.

In fact, I love the 193. It's what I learned to shoot with in basic way back in 1981. The biggest portion of my ammo stash... you guessed it, 193. Here's why. It's cheap, it's reliable, it's easily available, and it'll get the job done.

Is it my duty ammo? Nope. Not any more. It's a good back up plan if need be, but I use it to train with. We train more than we fight, so that's the type of ammo we need the most of anyway... right? Why the 193? Because it's cheap, it's reliable, it's easily available, and it'll get the job done.

However, there are much better rounds to select from these days to use as a defensive round. Sure, they cost a bit more, but everything is a bit more these days, and just like I learned in the Army, service ammo is more expensive that training ammo... Only difference is that 193 doesn't come outta the box painted blue.

My bolt gun uses the Fed 62gr tactical bonded. It's a good round, and more important, it's what the gun likes. This isn't a combat carbine. This is a precision rifle, and though shot placement ALWAYS counts, with this weapon, it's paramount.

My ARs use either the Hornady 75gr TAP, or the IMI 77gr OTM LR MOD 1. I may have to go to some other easier to find rounds to build up my duty ammo supply, but for now, this is what I've been going with.

I also have a quantity of PMC Bronze 55gr FMJ for training ammo. It's even cheaper than the 193. It also has noticeably less recoil, so is most likely a much weaker round. (it's .223, not 5.56 for one thing)


I will add this... If the SHTF, EOTWAWKI, Boogaloo, what ever they call it these days comes, and I run out of everything but the 193... I'll still by a dangerous old man.


Providing I make it that long.

[ABNAK]

Less difference than you'd think between the 20 and 16, and more evident through barriers than bare gel. Pub velocity for the load pictured (.223) is 3025 from a 24". Velocity from one of my 16" is ~2770. I use the 5.56 variant, which is ~100fps faster and even better.

Is that also a Black Hills load?

[WS6]

I taxed this from another website. User "LEID" was the shooter.

"Exit wound @75yds. with 5.56MM 62GR. CCCu from a 10.5" w can"-LEID

No bones were hit.

[ST911]

Is that also a Black Hills load?

Yes. The 62 TSX is available in both a .223 and 5.56 load.

[ABNAK]

Yes. The 62 TSX is available in both a .223 and 5.56 load.

I bought 200 rounds of it last night. Yikes! It ain't cheap, that's for sure.

Wonder if Black Hills uses a CFE-type powder with these copper TSX bullets?

[vicious_cb]

I taxed this from another website. User "LEID" was the shooter.

"Exit wound @75yds. with 5.56MM 62GR. CCCu from a
No bones were hit.

Interesting results. I always found Lehigh designs to be gimmicky. Does this offer anything that Mk318 doesn't already do?

[WS6]

I bought 200 rounds of it last night. Yikes! It ain't cheap, that's for sure.

Wonder if Black Hills uses a CFE-type powder with these copper TSX bullets?

They do not. This said, I've shot lots of black hills tsx, and have friends that have too. Noone has seen a copper issue.

[WS6]

Interesting results. I always found Lehigh designs to be gimmicky. Does this offer anything that Mk318 doesn't already do?

Reliable 100% petal separation down to 1500fps in ordnance gel. I'm not sure about mk318, but doubt its anywhere near this. Also, allegedly much more accurate.

[indianalex01]

Reliable 100% petal separation down to 1500fps in ordnance gel. I'm not sure about mk318, but doubt its anywhere near this. Also, allegedly much more accurate.

MK318 will frag down 1500 FPS or even lower. It’s accurate. 1.5 for the MK318 Mod 1. It is a great load. Any of the loads just mentioned are awesome though.

[ABNAK]

MK318 will frag down 1500 FPS or even lower. It’s accurate. 1.5 for the MK318 Mod 1. It is a great load. Any of the loads just mentioned are awesome though.

I've got 1K+ of the Mod 0, is the Mod 1 that much better?